Bombers defence looks set

There won't be any huge overhauls from last year's 4-14 team

By: Adam Wazny Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Friday, Jun. 24, 2011

Those expecting a major overhaul are going to be disappointed.

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Those expecting a major overhaul are going to be disappointed.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/06/2011 (5190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Those expecting a major overhaul are going to be disappointed.

After watching two pre-season games — the latter a 30-23 loss to the Toronto Argonauts at Canad Inns Stadium Thursday night — here’s what we know about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defence:

Not a lot is going to change from the 2010 edition.

PHIL.HOSSACK@FREEPRESS.MB.CA
Argos QB Cleo Lemon is upended late in the first half by charging Blue Bomber lineman Jason Vega. — PHIL.HOSSACK@FREEPRESS.MB.CA Argos QB Cleo Lemon is upended late in the first half by charging Blue Bomber lineman Jason Vega.

Consider there was only one, maybe two, spots available this training camp: A gig on the defensive line (thanks to the off-season departure of Phillip Hunt) and a (possible) spot in the secondary.

Rookie defensive end Kenny Mainor started the game and didn’t look out of place, generating a decent push on the Toronto pivots Thursday.

He looks to have the inside track on the outside defensive line spot, but throw gold star to defensive end Jason Vega’s effort against Toronto. He forced a fumble and had a quarterback sack.

Don’t forget about defensive end Remond Willis.

He’s in the mix, too.

Active roster

Winnipeg has to declare its 46-man active roster by 2 p.m. Saturday.

Head coach Paul LaPolice said those decisions will come this afternoon, meaning roster hopefuls won’t have to hope for very long.

“That decision is up to the coaches,” Mainor said on his chances.

“Coaches just put me in the right spots and I just had to make the plays when they came my way. Good coaching.”

Passing the credit over to the boss is smart business for a guy trying to make the club, but Mainor is being far too modest in his personal assessment.

He went from a guy who might not be around after the first week of camp to someone who is vying for his own page in the Bombers media guide.

He says he didn’t leave anything on the field, and wasn’t going to second-guess any choices he made during the two pre-season games.

“There’s nothing I can do about that now,” he said.

Another making his case for Bomb Squad employment is Johnny Sears.

Though he struggled at times in coverage, the lanky defensive back put together his highlight reel on special teams Thursday, making four impressive open field tackles on Argo returners.

“I haven’t been on kickoffs since I was at Eastern Michigan, so I was having a nice little flashback there,” he said.

Cracking the 46-man roster was the only goal Sears had this training camp.

Anything less than that was going to be a disappointment.

“I think I did enough to make it,” he said. “No matter where they want to put me or what the want to do — just make the team. Special teams, starter or non-starter — I’m going to be ready.

“I left everything on the grass right here, everything is out on the turf with me,” he added. “No regrets.”

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca